Is tax credit for household expenses nonsense?
Academic research says that price doesn't really affect purchase behavior. Go figure. Our customers disagree, though: 87 % say that tax credit for household expenses plays a role in their decision to buy home cleaning services. This has a huge impact on our ability to create real jobs for superhero cleaners who come from more than 60 countries.
As the #1 home cleaning company in Finland, it is our responsibility to speak up for our cleaners and customers as well as for the entire industry. To bring some real life context into the lively academic discussion, we asked our customers for their thoughts on the household tax deduction—and they are quite clear. Check out the findings from our recent survey below 👇
Freska Customers:
say that tax credit for household expenses affects their decision to buy home cleaning services
Freska Customers:
would either reduce or completely stop their use of home cleaning services without tax credit for household expenses
Freska Customers:
report that tax credit for household expenses supports their responsible purchase behavior
Jobs and opportunities for amazing cleaners 💙
The role that tax credit for household expenses plays in this important process should not be underestimated: it enables middle-income households to buy home cleaning services from responsible companies, and thus, significantly helps create jobs for people who are in a vulnerable situation in our society and for whom finding work can be very diffcult.
85 % of Freska customers say they would either reduce or completely stop the use of home cleaning services without tax credit for household expenses
Not just monetary benefits 👭
59 % of Freska customers say that they buy home cleaning services to reduce stress or to avoid arguing over cleaning at home.
When evaluating the impact of the household tax credit, euros are usually under the magnifying glass. However, it is important to also understand the immaterial benefits of the system. This equality survey shows that household chores are not evenly split between men and women. Using home services helps people, especially women, to unlock more free-time, avoid arguing over chores and focus on family, well-being, work and hobbies.
Oh, and this is also a studied fact: buying time-saving services promotes happiness.*
*Buying time promotes happiness, Bekkers R, Dunn E, Norton M, Smeets P, Whillans A, PNAS, July 24 2017
Black market a big problem for Norway
In Norway there are no tax breaks for the use of household services, and up to 90 % of home cleanings are bought from the black market. Coincidence?
Having operated in Norway for five years, we know this all too well. The lion's share of home cleanings are bought from the illegal black market. This poses an abundance of problems. First and foremost, no one is responsible for the black market cleaners' working conditions, well-being, job security or even human rights. Norway is also losing out on a ton of tax revenue in the process. We are working hard to clean up the industry and create more real jobs for cleaners in Norway. We are also actively talking to decision makers and media, pushing for the implementation of tax credit for household expenses.
What's up, Maria?
You might have spotted our CFO, Maria, talking about the household tax deduction on the evening news recently? Here's a bit more video of Maria explaininig the impact and benefits. 🔥 Damn, Maria is good.
Sorry, the video is Finnish and we have yet to put in subtitles.
What would you save in a year?
Here's a nifty calculator for you. Calculate how much time and money you'd save using a regular home cleaning service with the 35 % tax deduction for household expenses. Give it a whirl. 👇